Bengaluru, July 31 -- The Supreme Court has held that "sudden" and "unannounced braking" on a highway can amount to negligence, particularly if it endangers other road users.

The court emphasised that motorists on highways must keep in mind that unexpected stops or maneuvers can have life-altering consequences. "On a highway, high speed of vehicles is expected and if a driver intends to stop his vehicle, he has a responsibility to give a warning or signal to other vehicles moving behind on the road," it said.

To be sure, while the court's observation is justified in general, and also in the case in question, it ignores the state of many of India's highways -- even the best ones have potholes or bumps that sometimes necessitate sudden br...